Several polyoxometalates (POMs) have been shown to possess antitumor activity. In this study, hydrophilic POMs were combined with the hydrophobic drug podophyllotoxin (PPT) to create an amphiphilic anti-cancer drug PPT-POM-PPT, which can self-assemble into hollow vesicles. The properties of these vesicles, such as the critical aggregation concentration, were characterized. These vesicles had low hemolytic activity and high stability. Cytotoxicity tests showed that the PTT-POM-PPT vesicles exhibit strong antitumor activity against lung and liver cancer cells without significantly affecting normal cells. Cell uptake experiments confirm that the PPT-POM-PPT vesicles can easily penetrate cell membranes and effectively enter tumor cells, thus exerting anti-tumor effects. Furthermore, these vesicles co-localized with lysosomes. Moreover, these PPT-POM-PPT vesicles exhibit synergistic effects of PPT and POMs. They are efficient drug delivery platforms that act as both the carrier and the active drug, avoiding the potential risks associated with additional carrier ingredients. In summary, due to their anticancer properties, POMs and PPT facilitate the generation of novel amphiphilic self-assembling vesicles, providing a theoretical basis and enabling clinical applications of POMs in cancer therapy.

A new study published in Mycology highlights the alarming evolutionary rate of Sporothrix, the fungus that causes sporotrichosis, a severe and rapidly spreading infection affecting humans and cats in South America. Researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo analysed the 3-carboxymuconate cyclase gene (encoding the Gp60-70 antigen), a key component of the fungus's cell wall, in Sporothrix and discovered unprecedented genetic diversity. They propose a link between this rapid adaptation and exposure to harmful aromatic pollutants, potentially explaining the increased virulence, particularly of S. brasiliensis. This research is crucial because cat-transmitted sporotrichosis is far more aggressive than typical fungal infections, representing a major public health crisis in Brazil. These findings provide vital insights for developing targeted diagnostics, vaccines, and antifungal treatments to combat the world's largest sporotrichosis epidemic.

A breakthrough in biomedical research is reshaping the way scientists study human biology. Assembloids—advanced 3D tissue models that integrate multiple organoids or specialized cell types—are unlocking new dimensions in developmental biology, disease modeling, and drug discovery by more closely mimicking the complex cellular interactions within human tissues. A recent review categorizes assembloids into four key assembly strategies—multi-region, multi-lineage, multi-gradient, and multi-layer—each designed to better simulate complex biological processes with unprecedented accuracy. By bridging the gap between simplified organoids and the intricate architecture of human tissues, assembloids are poised to transform our understanding of health and disease.

The effect of high magnetic field on the directional solidification structure of Al-18 at.%Ni peritectic alloy was studied. In the absence of magnetic field, the alloy forms a dendritic structure with preferred orientation, and a transverse plate-like structure with block eutectic is formed under a 6 T magnetic field. At 0 T and 5 μm/s, the Al₃Ni phase was preferentially oriented along the <010> direction, while the sample prepared at 100 μm/s exhibited no preferred orientation. Under 6 T magnetic field, 5 μm/s pulling makes the solidification mode change from peritectic reaction to hypereutectic reaction, and the Al₃Ni phase presents orientation. When the pumping speed increases to 20-100 μm/s, the peritectic reaction is still dominant. The primary Al₃Ni₂ phase is oriented along the direction, and the peritectic phase is attached to it to form a preferred orientation. The magnetic field regulates crystal orientation and solute transport through the coupling of magnetic torque, thermo-electro-magnetic force and magnetic field force, and its influence mechanism shows a significant dependence on pulling speed.